Lawsuits allege abuse at NM facility for juveniles

SANTA FE - Lawsuits filed in state District Court in Santa Fe allege that four male youths from Las Cruces endured abuse while in state custody at a juvenile facility in Albuquerque.

The Santa Fe New Mexican (http://bit.ly/1ljGFqI ) says the lawsuits allege that food deprivation, physical violence and sexual abuse occurred in a cottage at the state-run Youth Diagnostic and Development Center in 2012.

The lawsuits also allege that a gang-minded culture and adult prison mentality were prevalent at the facility, which was created for diagnosis and rehabilitation of juveniles.

State Children Youth and Families spokesman Henry Varela says the agency cannot comment on pending litigation or personnel issues.